Brake testing device



March 4, 1969 W. L. TRUESDELL ET AL BRAKE TESTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 1, 1966 FIG. 1.

"IHHlIPf 30"- iii?" HUI l 1 l l V INVENTOES l l Aeeslv L. 7kUE5DELL, KENNETH L. McQumeyv EDWARD D. 052/4 United States Patent 3,430,581 BRAKE TESTING DEVICE Warren L. Truesdell, Los Angeles, and Kenneth L. Mc-

Quary, Torrance, Calif., assignors to Eldon Industries,

Hawthorne, Califi, a corporation of California Filed Feb. 1, 1966, Ser. No. 523,994

U.S.' Cl. 10460 12 Claims Int. Cl. A63h 30/00, 18/16; A63f 9/14 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention is directed to a subtrack gate in a slot car track which is adapted to open and allow a slot car to pass when said car is moving at below a preselected speed and under the control of an operator. The gate is controlled by an eccentric arm and cam, which is springloaded.

This invention is directed to a brake testing device particularly useful in toy road race car environments to place another exercise of skill in the racing of cars in road race car sets.

Road race car sets usually comprise continuous tracks upon which toy road race cars can be operated. The race cars are guided on the tracks by means of shoes engaging in track slots and thus this enterprise is often called slot car racing. A number of adjunctive devices are used with road race tracks in order to increase the skill and enjoyment derived from such racing. The tracks often employ starting devices, and several different types are available. Lap counters are often provided, and finish indicating devices are often located upon the track to accurately indicate the winner of a race. Furthermore, the track structure itself often employs chicanes and crossovers to add interest and enjoyment and require the exercise of additional skill. The brake testing device of this invention is another structure useful in such environment for the exercise of the skill requirement and to provide further diversification of the operation of a road race car as it proceeds along its track.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a brake testing device which is used in conjunction with road race cars to require the use of skill to permit a road race car to successfully circumnavigate the road race track.

It is another object of this invention to provide a brake testing device which requires that the car pass across the device at a speed below a predetermined speed to thus define an area where speed must be reduced for proper, correct road race car operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a brake testing device which comprises a movable barrier positioned across the road race track. The barrier is controlled in such a manner that it swings out of the way when the road race car approaches the barrier at a speed below a predetermined speed, and remains as a barrier when the car approaches the barrier at a speed above the predetermined speed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a speed controlled barrier for a road race car, which barrier is operated by the shoe of the road race car operating in the road race track slot and arranged so that the shoe contacts the barrier operating structure only when the car is operating across the track at a speed below a predetermined speed.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following portion of this specification, the claims and the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the brake testing device of this invention;

3,430,581 Patented Mar. 4, 1969 FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial bottom plan view thereof showing the brake testing device in the non-actuated position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the structure in the operated position;

FIG. 4 is a section taken generally along the line 4--4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a section taken generally along the line 55 of FIG. 3.

As an aid to understanding this invention it can be stated in essentially summary form that it is directed to a brake testing device. The brake testing device comprises a section of road race car track, which track section is of generally conventional construction having a top surface for the support of a race car, a guide slot for its guidance, and a pair of electrical conductors for powering the road race car. Positioned on the track section is a gate which serves as an obstruction to travel along the track. Gate operating means is provided. The gate operating means is preferably positioned below the top surface of the track for appearance purposes. The gate operating means includes a dog positioned within the slot and arranged to be actuated by the guide shoe on the road race car. As the car traverses the track, and the shoe traverses the slot, the shoe engages the dog and moves the gate from the spring urged, closed position to an open position whereat the car can pass through the open gate and thus pass the obstruction. As soon as the guide shoe leaves the dog, the gate starts swinging closed. Therefore, the car must be traveling above a predetermined minimum speed to clear the gate. Furthermore, a cam surface is provided within the slot ahead of the dog. This cam surface tends to direct the shoe upwardly out of the slot and is of such angle and so positioned with respect to the dog that if the road race car traverses the slot above a predetermined speed, its shoe is thrust upward above the dog and inertia prevents it from contacting the dog. Thus, the gate remains closed and serves as an obstruction to traverse of the car.

This invention will be understood in greater detail by reference to the following portion of the specification wherein the drawings are described. Referring now to the drawings, the brake testing device of this invention is generally indicated at 10. The brake testing device 10 comprises a track section 12 which has a substantially planar top surface 14 adapted for the traverse and support of road race cars. Track section 12 is suited for attachment to adjacent track sections by means of tongues 16, 18, 20 and 22 and appropriate associated recesses formed on the adjacent track sections into which they fit. By this means, track section 12 is aligned and connected with such adjacent track sections so as to provide a continuous path for a road race car. Conductors 24 and 26 are recessed into top surface 14 and provide continuous electrical conductors for energizing such a road race car. Conductors 24- and 26 are also arranged so that they are in continuous electrical and physical relationship to such conductors on adjacent track sections. Furthermore, slot 28 is recessed below top surface 14 and is adapted to guide a road race car by means of the guide shoe on the road race car engaging in slot 28. Slot 28 also aligns with similar slots in the adjacent track sections. Thus, track section 12 is arranged to be part of a complete system of road race car track.

Gate 30 is mounted on shaft 32 so as to rotate with shaft 32. Shaft 32 is rotatably mounted in bearing boss 34 which extends upward from top surface 14 of track section 12. Drive disc 36 is fixed on shaft 32 below the top of the track section. Drive disc 36 has pin 38 positioned thereon. Pin 38 is engaged by spring 40 which is mounted upon post 42. The other end of spring 40 is engageable against one of pins 44 which are fixed to the lower side of track section 12. The effect of spring is to resiliently urge pin 38 in such a direction as to urge the drive disc 36 in the clockwise direction. Rotation of drive disc 36, shaft 32 and gate 30 is stopped by engagement of gate 30 against gate post 46. Thus, the gate 30 rests in a position across track section 12 to obstruct the passage of a car therealong unless it is opened. Cover plate 48 is secured over drive disc 36 to retain the structure in position and to prevent access of materials which would interfer with the actuation of the structure.

Crank pin 50 also extends from the drive disc 36. Connecting rod 52 is pivoted upon crank pin 50. The other end of connecting rod 52 is pivoted on lever 54 at pivot pin 56. Lever 54 is pivoted on pivot pin 58 which is secured to the bottom of track section 12.

Slot 28 has opening 60 in the bottom thereof which enters into recess 62 in the lower structure of track section 12 adjacent the slot. Lever 54 extends away from pivot pin 58 to a position below recess 62. Dog 64 on lever 54 extends into recess 62. When gate 30 is in a closed position dog 64 is adjacent the left end of recess 62 and extends into the line of slot 28, as is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. It is thus in a position to be engaged by the guide shoe upon road race car and thrust to the right. When such engagement occurs, lever 54 is moved to the right until dog 64 moves away from opening 60 and into the por tion of recess 62 which is out of line with slot 24, as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.

Directly leftward of dog 64, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, is cam 66. Cam 66 is an upward inclined ramp positioned within slot 28 and arranged to contact the guide shoe of a road race car traversing the track section from left to right, as is seen in FIGS. 1 through 4. Cam 66 is so positioned and so dimensioned that when a road race car enters track section 12 from the left at a speed above a predetermined speed, its guide shoe is stressed upward by cam 66 and inertia moves it along a sufficiently high path that it passes over the top of dog 64. Without engagement upon dog 64, gate 30 remains closed, in the position shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, the road race car meets the obstruction of the gate 30.

However, with a slower speed of operation of the road race car, its guide shoe is thrust upward by cam 66, but the guide shoe returns deep enough into slot 28 at an early enough point along the traverse of the shoe along the slot from left to right so that the shoe can engage dog 64. Such engagement thrusts dog 64 to the right. Rightward motion of the dog causes the rightward motion of lever 54 and connecting rod 52. Such motion in turn causes counterclockwise rotation of drive disc 36, as is seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. This rotation is against the urging of spring 40, and causes gate 30 to move from the closed position shown in full lines in FIG. l to the open position shown in dotted lines therein. As dog 64 moves to the right, it moves into that portion of recess 62 away from opening 60 so that it moves out of line with slot 28. Thus, the guide shoe on the road race car can pass dog 64.

Since the gate 30 is open, and since spring 40 is urging it closed with a relatively short lever arm, due to the position and configuration of the spring 40, drive disc 36 and pin 38, the gate 30 remains open for an adequate length of time to permit the car to pass, providing it is traveling at a reasonable speed. However, should the car be traveling too slow, the gate 30 will close upon and strike the car. Thus, a car must enter track section 12 at a proper rate of speed so that when its guide shoe contacts cam 66 the guide shoe strikes dog '64 and yet must be traveling at an adequate speed to clear gate 30 before it closes. Rate of gate closing is adjusted by placing spring 40 on the appropriate pin 44. Thus, brake testing device 10 provides an additional exercise of skill in the operation of road race cars.

From the above description of the brake testing device 10, it is clear that gate 30 can extend across only one road race car. Furthermore, it must extend across the same track which is provided with dog 64 which actuates that particular gate. However, it is clear that duplicate structure can be provided for track sections which have two slots therein. In such case, each of the structure is independent from the other, except for the common support of the track section.

It is clear from this description that the device of this invention is not a brake testing device in the usual sense of the term. However, it requires a controlled reduction in speed of the slot car racing on the track and thus simulates the braking requirement. In this sense it is a brake testing device.

This invention having been described in its preferred embodiment, it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications and changes within the skill of those versed in the art and without the exercise of the inventive facility.

We claim:

1. A track structure for use with toy road race cars, said track structure comprising a track section and a gate structure;

said track section having first and second ends and having a top surface extending from said first to said second end, a slot recessed in said top surface, said slot extending from said first to said second end, said track section being adapted to permit a road race car to pass therealong while being guided by said slot;

said gate structure comprising a rotatable shaft positioned substantially perpendicular to the top surface of said track section, a movable gate secured to said shaft, said gate being positionable in a first position wherein it obstructs the passage of a road race car along said track section from said first end to said second end and being swingable to a second position wherein the passage of a road race car along said track section is unobstructed;

a stop for limiting motion of said gate from said second position at said first position,

spring means connected to said shaft to urge said gate toward said first position, and

means for moving said gate from said first position to said second position when a road race car moves along said track section, said means being located on said track section and connected to said gate structure so as to be engaged by a road race car moving along said track section.

2. The track structure of claim 1 wherein said means for moving comprises a crank pin eccentrically secured to said shaft, said crank pin being positioned below the top surface of said track section, a connecting rod pivotally mounted upon said crank pin, said connection rod being adapted to be moved by traverse of the road race car along said track section from said first end toward said second end to move said gate from said first position to said second position.

3. The track structure of claim 2 wherein said means for moving further comprises a lever pivotally mounted on said track section, said lever being pivotally connected to said connecting rod, said lever being adapted for engagement by a road race car traversing said track section from said first end to said second end to move said gate from said first position to said second position.

4. The track structure of claim 3 including a dog mounted on said lever, said dog being positioned in said slot so that said dog is engaged by a road race car moving along said track section from said first end to said second end to move said gate from said first position to said second position.

5. The track structure of claim 4 wherein said dog moves out of said slot when said dog moves said gate from said first position to said second position.

6. The track structure of claim 5 including a cam positioned in said slot between said dog and said first end, said cam being adapted to direct the guide shoe on a road race car traversing said track section from said first end to said second end away from said dog when the road race car is traveling above a predetermined speed.

7. The structure of claim 1 wherein said means for moving includes a dog positioned in said slot, said dog being adapted to be engaged by a road race car and being connected to said gate to move said gate from said first position to said second position when engaged by a road race car, and

said track structure includes a cam positionedin said slot between said dog and said first end of said track section, said cam being adapted to prevent engagement of the car with said dog when the car is traversing said track section at a speed above a predetermined speed.

8. A track structure for use with toy road race cars which includes:

a track section having first and second ends and a surface extending between said ends, said surface being adapted to support a road race car traversing said track section from said first end to said second end,

a gate movable mounted on said track section so as to be movable from a first position extending across said track section to a second position in which it does not extend across said track section,

means for moving said gate from said first position to said second position when a road race car passes on said track section from said first end towards said second end, said means for moving being connected to said gate, said means for moving including a part positioned between said first end and said gate so as to be actuated by a road race car passing on said track section so as to cause said gate to be moved from said first position to said second position.

9. A track structure for use with road race cars as claimed in claim 8 including:

cam means for elevating a road race car passing on said track section so as to cause such a car traveling at a relatively high speed to pass over said part so 6 as not to actuate said means for moving at one speed of a race car, but permitting a car traveling at a lesser speed to actuate said part because it is not elevated as far, said cam means being located on said track section adacent to said part. 10. A track structure for use with road race cars as claimed in claim 8 including:

means for returning said gate automatically to said first position when said gate has been moved to said second position by said means for moving. 11. A track structure for use with road race cars as claimed in claim 10 wherein:

said means for returning comprises spring means connected to said gate and said track section. 12. A track structure for use with road race cars as claimed in claim 8 including:

cam means for elevated road race car passing on said track section so as to cause such car traveling at a relative high speed to pass over said part so as not to actuate said means for moving, but permitting a car traveling at a lesser speed to actuate said part, said cam means being located on said track section adjacent to said part; and means for returning said gate automatically to said first position when said gate has been moved to said second position by said means for moving.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,903,414 4/1933 Albright 273-86 3,316,401 4/1967 Cramer 104-60 X 3,339,923 9/1967 Nadolny 104-60 X ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

DANIEL F. WORTH III, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.=R. 

